There will be several ways of assessing each child’s progress to make sure that potential is achieved.

Staff will use improved ways of assessing children’s learning taking into account national and local advice and guidance. Your child’s progress will be reported to you so that you know how well your child is doing.

 

In Orchard Primary School assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning, and pupils are continuously assessed in an informal way as part of the daily class routine. Children are continuously assessed in order to monitor progress and identify barriers to learning. The class teacher carries out this assessment through observation, discussion, on-going class work etc.

At other times, standardised assessments may be used to help teachers assess pupil progress and to identify any strengths and diagnose any barriers to learning.

We don’t compare children against each other but rather treat each as an individual who is always gaining new achievements and attainments for themselves. Their own personal best is what we are aiming for.

We assess to find out:

• Strengths
• Areas of challenge
• If our teaching is effective
• To give out accurate information to all about progress
• To track progress to make sure each pupil is progressing at the right pace.
• To ensure excellence through equity

Lesson success criteria is communicated to pupils and they are involved in the assessment of their own work through indicating whether or not they have met this criteria. Next steps are then identified by the pupil and teacher. Pupils are also involved in self and peer assessment.

A formal written report is sent out to parents once a year. This will indicate pupil’s progress in all areas of the curriculum. Verbal reports are given twice a year, where we follow an appointment system for our consultation meetings; however if the allocation of time is found to be insufficient, to discuss a child’s progress, arrangements can be made for another interview at a later date.